Course Descriptions

Automating Live Sound: Audio Show Control, Mixing, and PlaybackOne Day

This one day seminar is designed to provide attendees with an introduction to the concepts of utilizing audio show control, mixing console automation, and digital playback systems in live theater.

Some historical background is presented covering the origin and roles of sound effects and music playback systems in the theater. Modern Sound and Sound System Design techniques and concepts are discussed. Example sound cues are evaluated and presented as operational challenges. The recent advances in sound console automation integrating Show Control and Playback are presented with a practical demonstration to be programmed during the seminar.

Upcoming Seminars

Check back for upcoming dates

Comprehensive System Design and ImplementationFive Days

The five-day intensive seminar integrates course materials from several other training sessions into a single seminar that gives participants a solid working familiarity with all aspects of Meyer Sound’s technology. The course builds a solid understanding of measurement, covering concepts such as FFT analysis, filters and phase relationships at an advanced level and with practical reference to use of the SIM 3 audio analyzer system. Other main topics covered include system alignment, basic array theory, applications for Meyer Sound MAPP XT, use of Meyer Sound loudspeaker management for optimizing performance, and an in-depth look at line array theory with specific and detailed reference to a broad spectrum of Meyer Sound product applications.

This seminar is designed for acoustical consultants, sound contractors working with complex systems, touring and theatrical system designers and system techs, and advanced audio students. Attendees should have prior education in audio fundamentals and acoustics, or equivalent experience.

This 3-day comprehensive seminar covers programming, operation, and maintenance of the D-Mitri digital audio platform. The D-Mitri hardware is supported by the latest in CueStation software, which will be covered in this seminar. Detailed training on this versatile program will insure that operators can transition from sound concepts to automation. Topics include system configuration, AVB, Wild Tracks programming, and SpaceMap designs. Course size is kept small in order to facilitate hands-on instruction.

This seminar is designed for sound designers, audio engineers, lead audio technicians, senior maintenance technicians, and advanced audio students. Attendees should have prior education in audio fundamentals and acoustics, or equivalent experience. Each student should also come prepared with a laptop computer running and have a working network interface.

Fundamentals of System Design, Implementation, and OptimizationTwo Days

This seminar encompasses a variety of topics in sound system applications. Practical information on system design and application is presented in a real-world context to provide useful background. Theory and practice of line arrays are discussed, along with the tools for system optimization, including equalization, delay, loudspeaker management systems, measurement with the SIM 3 audio analyzer, and use of Meyer Sound's acoustical prediction program, MAPP XT.

The seminar will also discuss and demonstrate important concepts pertaining to the use of subwoofers and methods of deployment that obtain optimal coverage and directivity characteristics.

This seminar will guide attendees through the use of Meyer Sound's Galileo loudspeaker management system and Compass software for Galileo control. Topics will include an overview of the Compass software, configuring IP addresses and wireless options for connectivity and control; guide to different menus and tabs; utilizing atmospheric and array correction features; different filter options; and how to save and recall projects and snapshots.

Additionally attendees will learn use of Compass with multiple Galileos, including how to connect multiple devices, selecting and link functions across multiple Galileos, global snapshots and projects and use of the Overview tab.

Upcoming Seminars

Check back for upcoming dates

Level II Advanced System Design and OptimizationThree Days

This seminar builds upon the foundations established in both Meyer Sound's Comprehensive System Design and SIM 3 seminars and steps attendees, at an advanced level, through the process of designing, predicting, measuring, and optimizing sound systems for a variety of different applications.

Attendees must be experienced in the use of FFT analyzers and bring their own FFT measurement system to participate in the course.

Additionally, all participants must have previously completed either Meyer Sound's Comprehensive System Design and Optimization seminar or Meyer Sound's SIM 3 Training and System Design seminar to attend this seminar.

Upcoming Seminars

Check back for upcoming dates

Line Array Design and ApplicationTwo Days

In this two-day event, participants learn how to utilize line arrays as part of the design and implementation of complex sound reinforcement systems in a performance environment.

Day one is dedicated to the use of Meyer Sound MAPP XT acoustical prediction software as a primary tool in system design. After an extensive introduction to the program and its capabilities, attendees are walked through designing a loudspeaker system to cover a specific venue using Meyer Sound’s LEO Family of Line Array products.

The second day is dedicated to hands-on training in an environment which represents the demanding nature of typical schedules facing the industry. Participants walk through all procedures involved in implementing systems designed during the previous day: rigging, cabling, flying, signal distribution, optimizing the response using the Galileo 616 Processor, and verifying the result with the SIM 3 audio analyzer. LEO Family

Recognizing that time is often severely limited for technicians installing and optimizing systems in the field, this one-day seminar focuses on practical techniques and methods for quickly and efficiently designing, installing, and optimizing basic to complex sound systems for different applications under tight time restrictions.

Approaches for aligning level, phase, and polarity with a SIM 3 analyzer as well as without an analyzer will be explored. The seminar will also look at how to effectively use the tools available from Meyer Sound such as MAPP XT, Compass, self-powered line array and point source arrays to get the maximum performance from systems when technicians are under constrained conditions. Additionally the seminar provides guidance on the importance of using one’s own ears and tips for critically listening to systems.

Upcoming Seminars

Check back for upcoming dates

SIM 3 Training and System DesignFour Days

This in-depth seminar provides participants with a thorough theoretical and operational understanding of source independent measurement and a solid grounding in application of SIM analysis in the design of complex audio systems. The seminar gives a brief review of SIM theory and system development, followed by a comprehensive discussion of field use procedures for the SIM 3 audio analyzer. The seminar then extends the foundation of SIM measurement into sound system design. Participants will look at the complex interactions of loudspeakers in a variety of configurations and acoustical environments from the standpoints of phase, frequency and impulse responses.

Participants should bring their own Internet-ready laptop computer, but need not bring their SIM 3 units.

This in-depth course guides the student through the content of Meyer Sound’s Design Reference for Sound Reinforcement, the comprehensive print resource on the art and science of system design and measurement. Dealing with each topic at an intermediate to advanced level, the course covers behavior of system components (filters, equalizers, amplifiers and loudspeakers), how they interact with each other, and the net effect in time and amplitude domains when systems are deployed in acoustic environments. Real-world examples illustrate particularly problematic situations, and outline both the physics behind the solutions and specific applications of Meyer Sound technology. Sub-topics covered in detail include measurement tools and techniques, acoustical modeling with MAPP Online, various types of loudspeaker arrays, speaker system zoning and alignment, and line array theory with particular emphasis on phase relationships.

This course will emphasize the relationship between the predictive perspective of MAPP XT and the measured world of SIM 3. Both systems will be operated by the instructor, Bob McCarthy, and data will be compared so that the relationship can become clear in the minds of the students. The goal is to help users to create better designs in MAPP XT by having a clearer idea of how to read the plots and how sound systems actually behave. This will be developed by creating MAPP plots of the actual speakers we have in the room and then measuring them with SIM 3 and showing the relationship of the data.

Attendees will learn how to relate the design of sound systems in MAPP to the optimization world utilizing SIM 3.

This seminar is designed for system engineers, FOH engineers, contractors, and anyone in audio whose job involves design, installation, and system optimization.

Upcoming Seminars

Check back for upcoming dates

System Design PrinciplesOne Day

This seminar provides an overview of the Meyer Sound product line as well as essential principles involved in the design and measurement of complex sound reinforcement systems. Participants receive a basic grounding in the key parameters of audio measurement (phase response, impulse response) and how they relate to filters and phase alignment. A comprehensive summary of array configuration principles is integrated with a discussion of acoustical prediction theory using Meyer Sound MAPP Online. The seminar also introduces line array theory, outlining how different line array solutions apply in specific applications. System optimization approaches are covered in conjunction with an overview of Source Independent Measurement as implemented in the SIM 3 audio analyzer.

This seminar is recommended for audio students, system technicians, as well as contractors, dealers and rental companies new to Meyer Sound.

The Mixing Workshop focuses on the role of the mix engineer in live audio production. Buford Jones gives attendees the benefit of his vast experience working with an incredible array of artists from numerous genres in a seminar that goes beyond the technical to artistic and even political concerns. Mixing tools and techniques, system tuning, mixing in concert halls, record producer involvement, surround mixing, mixing in isolation are all discussed, but Jones also addresses issues of communication and trust between the artist and the mix engineer, and the politics involved in any production, from large-scale tours, to corporate events and house of worship productions.

Day one will include a lecture and presentation that emphasizes the benefits of mixing on linear sound systems. Demonstrating this with playback of live recordings and discussions of the various sound systems used.

Day two will expand on live mixing, demonstrations of implementing common signal processing, as well as giving attendees an opportunity to mix and receive advice on how to improve their skills from a master of the trade.